robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 15, 2009 17:35:46 GMT
I was wondering if anyone had any pictures or illustrations/descriptions of both a true and false outline. I would love to learn to be able to tell the difference between the two, and know when a horse is working correctly from behind so any explanations or photos would be fantastic
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 15, 2009 18:25:54 GMT
It definitly makes sense, unfortunatley Phil has quite a bouncy trot so I am still learning to sit to it, lol.
I guess it would be easier if I had ridden a horse like that so I know what to feel for.
|
|
|
Post by xxshowponyxx on Sept 15, 2009 19:57:38 GMT
I remember the first time I felt my pony come naturally 'on the bit' (as opposed to being held in at the front end) I told my mum it felt like a mushroom had opened under my bottom!!! Now I think I would describe it more that his back comes up to my bum, rather than me sitting deep into him, and his sides coming out to my legs rather than me closing them around him. Again not very technical but it works for me!
|
|
|
Post by sageandonion on Sept 17, 2009 12:08:24 GMT
robyn why not treat yourself to a lesson on a high level dressage schoolmaster.
Lovepink is right, it is difficult to describe, except it is heaven!! Unfortunately in my case it is rarely achieved and is gone as quickly as it came!
That is what makes dressage so addictive, you strive to achieve that level of riding all the time.
Once you have experienced this type of work, you can no longer deceive yourself by pulling a horse's head in and you become very critical of people that do.
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 25, 2009 19:55:45 GMT
Sorry about the delayed reply.
I never thought I would be interested in dressage, but I think Phil has the potential to do well in the right hands. I can only take him so far as I am not knowledgeable enough but I do strive to do the best for the both of us, and when he started dropping onto the bit it was a fantastic feeling because i felt like my hard work had paid off.
Sageandonion; how would I go about finding a horse to ride to see how it feels? I'm in essex if that helps, lol.
Lovepink; I was trotting him bareback, trying to secure my seat but I found it was easier to use my saddle and keep my stirrups a bit longer until I got the feel of it. He is quite good though, if he feels me slip he goes back into walk, which can be a pain when you want him to carry on because you have to learn to find the balance, and can't because he's being over-caring and stops every time you slip a bit lol.
I'm at uni now but I am determined to be able to sit to his trot properly, no matter how long it takes.
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 25, 2009 19:58:19 GMT
P, I do have a video of one of our schooling sessions this summer if anyone is interested?
|
|
|
Post by sageandonion on Sept 29, 2009 10:30:56 GMT
Yes I am definitely interested in your video, lovepink will be as well and she is an instuctor and could pass on tips.
With regard to schoolmaster lessons, I don't know Essex, but you could ring the bigger riding schools or google dressage schoolmasters in Essex or something.
Don't worry about not being good enough, you could easily be I am sure as you have the motivation.
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 29, 2009 17:06:43 GMT
Thank you I get a bitt iffy about posting things because I'm worried about what i might do wrong lol, but any helpful tips would be greateful. Since this video he has had his back checked by a physio who identified bruising and stiffness on his right side (incidently his left rein is his 'bad' rein) and I am getting his saddle re-flocked as it is lower on one side, but fingers crossed this will help things out. I felt awful for not identifying the problem sooner but he is really good and just soldiers on. He needs more impulsion at the moment but for now he is doing quite well considering he is normally above the bit all the time. I am still teaching him that leg does not always mean speed and we're learning about getting more impulsion without speed. When we first started every time I pushed him on he would fall on the forehand and hollow/go above the bit, but now he will relax and I can push him along on the long sides of the field and he stays relaxed. in fact there was one particular side of the field where he wouldn't relax at all, and when i fianlyl got him to along that edge I nearly cried with happiness lol www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW_Y9FGlY_U
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 29, 2009 19:28:52 GMT
Thank you for the advice. I think I do have confidence issues with how I see myself as a rider but I'm always aiming to improve so am open to any suggestions I do carrot stretches with him most times but am going to start doing them before I ride him to help him stretch out a bit. He won't be ridden with his saddle until his saddle is re-flocked and the physio said she will come about again in 6 weeks to check how things are going. I definitly know what signs to look for now and will make sure I nip things in the bud Thank you again, it really is appreciated
|
|
|
Post by sageandonion on Sept 30, 2009 12:07:33 GMT
Well bearing in mind I am no expert and am working at it just like you are and I am not an instructor or anything I would say the following.
Both you and your horse definitely have the apptitude. You are a nice quiet rider with a good seat and position and your boy is dropping onto the bridle naturally a lot of the time and just isn't holding it 100% of the time but probably because you are afterall riding in a paddock which will be up and down anyway. So you have the basics there I think and could do very well immediately at prelim level.
I would encourage you to join a riding club so you can experience different instructors and go to different venues with nice surfaces in an enjoyable and not pressurised atmosphere.
If you don't already do so, incorporate lots of transitions in your schooling.
I don't think you need look to someone else to do dressage on your chap, I think you are very good indeed and will be a whole lot better with a little training and the partnership is very obviously there. You look and I expect you feel, good together.
Only other thing is to try and get a little weight off your boy, I know how hard it is, I struggle with my two as well.
I would put you on my two like a shot and I am very picky about who I let ride them.
Lovely video.
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 30, 2009 13:21:25 GMT
Thank you for the reply. I will start on his weight because it's been a constant issue with him. last year he was 120kg heavier and I have struggled with his weight this summer but thankfully he has stayed relatively low (I believe this was helped by the fact he was slimmer coming into summer). He has been the slimmest this summer than he has for about 5 years so fingers crossed this will help him to drop more weight and stay smaller next year. This year he was muzzled and being worked about 4 times a week but that dropped off slightly in september hence him putting some more on. I'm not sure if you have seen a picture of him last year but his weight is tonnes better and hopefully next year he will be even lighter With regards to my riding I am so chuffed at what you have said. I've not had any lessons since I was about 10 and I am desperate to ride in a proper school with an instructor hollering at me. That would be heaven! Lol. I am also desperate to try and get my own transport because right now I have to hire a horsebox and driver as and when i need them. I am ashamed to say that he is 9 1/2 and has set foot in a school twice (when at an in-hand show as a youngster) and never since lol. I am definitly determined more than ever to pursue this and progress as far as we can. Things have really come together recently and seeing the results, and hearing people say such nice things, has really made me feel fantastic. I am determined to do him justice and hopefully we will continue to get better. Unfortunatley now I feel down because I'm at uni and won't get to ride him for ages lol
|
|
|
Post by sageandonion on Sept 30, 2009 14:00:49 GMT
Good luck and your boy will be there waiting for you when you finish uni. Incidentally, does your university have a riding club team, if so have a go. You will go round competing in a team and you have to ride different horses at each competition, dressage and showjumping. Great experience. My daughter won the gold medal at uni and went on from that to riding for Great Britain in Holland and other places.
|
|
|
Post by Artistic on Sept 30, 2009 18:43:47 GMT
Robyn, you don't say whereabouts in Essex you are but there is a fab trainer who I think you would enjoy near Colchester. She is patient, practical and very correct and might well have something you could sit on to feel what you're aiming for.
Do pm me if this might be any good to you. Also, we had one whose saddle was flocked unevenly and have used a laser with great success to help the muscle damage. Let me know if I can help.
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Sept 30, 2009 19:01:49 GMT
Thank you for the reply Artistic, I am about an hour from colchester. The physio said the damage was mainly brusing so he is having a few days off after his treatment and then will be bought gently back into work. He will be ridden bareback for a week or two to help him out and whilst I get my saddle re-flocked. I will pm you about the trainer
|
|
robyn
Junior Member
Posts: 147
|
Post by robyn on Oct 4, 2009 21:54:40 GMT
A little update: I rode him for the first time today since having the physio down. I free schooled him first to get rid of any excess energy lol, and from the word go you can see how much more free he is in his trot and canter in particular. He wasn't disuniting in canter, even on corners on his bad rein which he always used to. When I got on i managed to do laps of the field in sitting trot and it was fantastic, he felt so smooth compared to his normal bumpy, bouncy trot and I'm very pleased He was however leaning on me a lot more to begin with, but Im not sure if this is related to stretching his spine? It did feel like leaning as opposed to seeking the contact so I'm not sure, but after a few minutes he was fine so i think he was stretching.
|
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Oct 10, 2009 16:47:56 GMT
I second joining a RC when you have transport - I expect they all differ but ours does training sessions once a month or so and uses different instructors, either group or individual lessons, which are subsidised by the club so more reasonable, and gives you a chance to try out different instructors - it's a very personal thing and the relationship needs to be right. Go with your feelings about which one works for you, beating your head against a brick wall trying to work in a way that doesn't feel right for you and Phil will do you no good at all. We like ones that are encouraging and don't make you feel like a nit!
|
|
|
Post by sarah00000 on Oct 10, 2009 18:02:27 GMT
Sarahp - "We like ones that are encouraging and don't make you feel like a nit! "
I 2nd that !!!!!
Where do these instructors get off making everyone feel like total morons! I am an instructor and while I strive to improve clients, I also want everyone to feel happy and motivated at the end of their lesson!
I have had lessons with some "very well qualified" instructors/trainers, who have left me practically in tears - so goodness knows how the less experienced RC members have felt afterwards!
Knocking someones confidence - is not necessary!
|
|
sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
|
Post by sarahp on Oct 10, 2009 21:55:14 GMT
I don't ride any more, but SJ trainer that daughter first went to 20 odd years ago - and me too for a bit until I stopped jumping - is now VERY smart indeed, and has never been anything but upbeat and encouraging all the way, whether it's the PC or international eventers and SJs she is teaching. Daughter now has a wonderful young dressage trainer (found at RC) in the same mould, and has finally stopped thinking of dressage as the boring bit you have to do in order to event. I'm sure you get better results from pupils that way, and personally I wouldn't pay to be berated, I want to be informed and encouraged!
|
|